WWC review of this study

Building college and career pathways for high school students: Youth CareerConnect [RCT].

Maxwell, N., Bellotti, J., Schochet, P., Burkander, P., Whitesell, E., Dillon, E., Inanc, H., Geckeler, C., & González, R. (2019). U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/evaluation/pdf/YCC_impact_report.pdf.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    436
     Students
    , grades
    9-12

Reviewed: December 2021

No statistically significant positive
findings
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Employment outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Employment

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
424 students

68.90

69.80

No

--
Industry-Recognized Credential, Certificate, or License outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Earned a degree, license, or certificate for work

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
399 students

26.90

28.90

No

--
School Attendance outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Cut or skipped class

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
428 students

8.50

13.40

No

--

Late for school

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
428 students

55.80

57.60

No

--

Unexcused absences

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
425 students

55.00

55.30

No

--
Staying in Secondary School outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Enrolled in high school

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
436 students

94.00

92.80

No

--
Student Discipline outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Suspended or put on probation

Youth CareerConnect vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
427 students

6.60

3.70

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 52%
    Male: 48%

  • Urban
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    Illinois, Indiana, Virginia
  • Race
    Black
    55%
    Other or unknown
    20%
    White
    25%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    14%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    86%

Setting

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) portion of the study was conducted in four school districts: Chicago Public Schools (Illinois), Los Angeles Unified School District (California), Metropolitan School District of Pike Township (Indiana), and Pulaski County School District (Kentucky). Follow-up survey data were not available for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Study sample

The students in the analytic intervention sample identified as Black (55%), White (25%), and Hispanic (14%). About half of the students identified as female (52%).

Intervention Group

The Youth CareerConnect (YCC) program is a program based in high schools that is a mix of academic and career-oriented courses and activities designed to help students prepare for careers and college. YCC consists of four core components: (1) an integrated academic and career-focused curriculum, (2) work-based learning (WBL), (3) exposure to the world of work and employer engagement, and (4) individualized career and academic counseling. The program also includes partnerships with employers and small learning communities.

Comparison Group

Students in the comparison condition had access to regular coursework and student supports.

Support for implementation

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded $107 million in four-year grants to 24 applicants to implement the YCC program.

 

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